However, the session demonstrated that to ensure the sustainability of these processes and materials, it is required to develop further the characterization of the
related environmental impacts, and to integrate the systematic assessment of
socio-economic aspects along the bio-based products value chain. Also the
waste-based processes will turn the waste into economic value and so would reverse
the value chain from end-of-life to new resource, leading to adapt consideration in
Life Cycle modelling approaches. Indeed, taking the example of wood-based lignin
or coconut fibre as waste-based (by-product) bio-materials, they become more
valuable than the main product (timber, coconut), which leads to rethink the allocation system from mass to economic allocation.
At the end of the session, every presenter got the chance to give their view on the
variety of challenges: the technical, the environmental or the economic challenge,
as well as future implications. The discussion addressed many new aspects, such as
the variety of related environmental and socio-economic challenges (impacts on
biodiversity [1], resource availability and market of bio-based materials [3–5]),
while the technical challenges were addressed in a lower extent.
4 Future Perspectives Based on the Session
The opportunity of bio-based materials to contribute to circular economy goes hand
in hand with challenges mentioned for the business society, such as the challenge of
reverse logistics and infrastructure, the new resource management and value creation from no cost waste to high profit products, the business opportunity to create
new services, placing the consumer at the centre of the value chain.
Bio-based materials within the circular economy are one of the emerging areas
where life cycle management can connect bio-based resources supply chain management with waste management systems. One of the next practical challenge for
bio-based materials will be the management of their End of Life (EoL). Indeed,
these resources and products they are part of will be sooner or later subject to
European waste legislation or directives, as it is already the case for many sectors in
Europe. For instance EoL directives exist for the automotive and electronic products, setting high targets for products and materials recycling and/or reuse rates. At
the time these objectives are not achievable for bio-based materials and products,
due to the lack of technological solutions. However, the biodegradability of some of
these resources could present an advantage.
To our knowledge there are several other technical challenges based on ongoing
and recent research projects the Research Institute of Sweden RISE have been
involved in with the area of: food waste and bio-refinery, eco-cycle in building
construction, forest-based plastics, recycling of green plastics and industrial waste.
Within the construction sector, companies recycle and apply their products, but
rarely sell further or even buy recycled products! Within bio-based plastics the
durability and quality requirements for industrial products are important, while the
46
B. Brunklaus and E. Riise
related environmental impacts, and to integrate the systematic assessment of
socio-economic aspects along the bio-based products value chain. Also the
waste-based processes will turn the waste into economic value and so would reverse
the value chain from end-of-life to new resource, leading to adapt consideration in
Life Cycle modelling approaches. Indeed, taking the example of wood-based lignin
or coconut fibre as waste-based (by-product) bio-materials, they become more
valuable than the main product (timber, coconut), which leads to rethink the allocation system from mass to economic allocation.
At the end of the session, every presenter got the chance to give their view on the
variety of challenges: the technical, the environmental or the economic challenge,
as well as future implications. The discussion addressed many new aspects, such as
the variety of related environmental and socio-economic challenges (impacts on
biodiversity [1], resource availability and market of bio-based materials [3–5]),
while the technical challenges were addressed in a lower extent.
4 Future Perspectives Based on the Session
The opportunity of bio-based materials to contribute to circular economy goes hand
in hand with challenges mentioned for the business society, such as the challenge of
reverse logistics and infrastructure, the new resource management and value creation from no cost waste to high profit products, the business opportunity to create
new services, placing the consumer at the centre of the value chain.
Bio-based materials within the circular economy are one of the emerging areas
where life cycle management can connect bio-based resources supply chain management with waste management systems. One of the next practical challenge for
bio-based materials will be the management of their End of Life (EoL). Indeed,
these resources and products they are part of will be sooner or later subject to
European waste legislation or directives, as it is already the case for many sectors in
Europe. For instance EoL directives exist for the automotive and electronic products, setting high targets for products and materials recycling and/or reuse rates. At
the time these objectives are not achievable for bio-based materials and products,
due to the lack of technological solutions. However, the biodegradability of some of
these resources could present an advantage.
To our knowledge there are several other technical challenges based on ongoing
and recent research projects the Research Institute of Sweden RISE have been
involved in with the area of: food waste and bio-refinery, eco-cycle in building
construction, forest-based plastics, recycling of green plastics and industrial waste.
Within the construction sector, companies recycle and apply their products, but
rarely sell further or even buy recycled products! Within bio-based plastics the
durability and quality requirements for industrial products are important, while the
46
B. Brunklaus and E. Riise